Strengthening regional security cooperation, defence diplomacy and coordinated responses to emerging threats remains critical to addressing instability and safeguarding peace across the Great Lakes Region.
The Ministry of Defence and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) participated in three high-level meetings of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), held in Lusaka, Zambia, from 14 to 16 October 2026, reaffirming Kenya’s commitment to collective security and regional stability.
The Kenyan delegation was led by the Assistant Chief of Defence Forces in charge of Operations, Plans, Doctrine and Training (ACDF OPD&T), Major General Fredrick Leuria, who represented the Cabinet Secretary for Defence and the Chief of the Defence Forces. He was accompanied by senior officers from Defence Headquarters.
The engagements commenced with the 4th Ordinary Meeting of the ICGLR Specialized Committee of Defence Experts on 14 October, followed by the 20th Meeting of Chiefs of Defence Forces/Staff on 15 October, and culminated in the 20th Ordinary Meeting of the Committee of Ministers of Defence on 16 October 2026.
Convened through collaboration between the ICGLR Committee of Ministers of Defence, the ICGLR Secretariat and Zambia’s Ministry of Defence, the meetings brought together defence experts, military commanders and political leaders to assess regional security dynamics, harmonise strategic priorities and strengthen collective responses to shared threats.
Chairperson of the ICGLR Committee of Ministers of Defence, H.E. Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita, underscored the importance of the engagements in assessing the prevailing security and humanitarian situation, enhancing coordination among member states and advancing collaborative solutions to persistent regional challenges.
Kenya’s participation reinforced its strategic role in regional defence diplomacy and multilateral security cooperation, particularly in promoting dialogue, coordinated action and stronger partnerships in addressing complex and evolving security threats.
The engagements further underscored the importance of sustained regional solidarity, collective responsibility and coordinated security mechanisms in preventing conflict, strengthening resilience and advancing lasting peace and stability across the Great Lakes Region.
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